Bevy of beers at Taps Tavern

Taps Tavern opened February 12, 2015 at the former Starters Pub on Route 378 in Lower Saucon Township.

Taps Tavern opened February 12, 2015 at the former Starters Pub on Route 378 in Lower Saucon Township.

Lower Saucon's Taps Tavern features 46 draft beers on 60 taps

The bad news: Lehigh Valley Beer Week ends today. The good news: You can celebrate craft beer year-round at the area's newest pub on Route 378 in Lower Saucon Township.

The aptly named Taps Tavern, which opened Feb. 12 in Saucon Valley Square, boasts 46 draft beers on 60 taps (popular brands such as Guinness and Miller Lite are duplicated) and many other selections in bottles.

"Drafts will change regularly and we plan to showcase an increasing amount of local craft brews," assistant manager Gabriella Lee said. "Right now, some of those include Funk, Weyerbacher and Victory. We've also got The Colony Meadery on tap."

The 195-seat tavern fills the space left vacant by Starters Pub, which closed last year after 14 years of business.

It is owned by Lee's father, Andy Lee of Coopersburg, who also operates the 8-year-old Braveheart Highland Pub on Main Street in Hellertown.

A wide array of burgers includes the Border (jalapenos, ghost pepper cheese, chili, guacamole and spicy remoulade) while a group of grilled cheese options include the Taps Piggy (ham, pulled pork barbecue, Swiss, bacon and tomato).

Among the popular appetizers, Gabriella said, are the cheesesteak spring rolls and American-style nachos (served over tater tots). In-demand entrees include the whiskey barbecue salmon and German wursts.

Still, it's not all artery-clogging deliciousness. A heart-healthy menu includes options such as lemon chicken and grilled shrimp.

Renovations, which began in September, include new lighting, hardwood and tile flooring, wall paneling, a stone fireplace, reupholstered booths, kitchen equipment, expanded bathrooms and a 45-seat granite bar.

Twenty televisions displaying primarily sports games and live music likely will be introduced in early summer, following construction of an expanded patio, Gabriella said.

Taps, which offers a private event room for parties of up to 35, likely won't be the last restaurant venture for the Lee family either.

"We are always looking at places and have been zeroing in on Quakertown for the past two years," Gabriella said. "Wherever we choose, it probably would be another Braveheart."

Another store aimed at helping you maintain a healthy lifestyle is preparing to open at the Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall Township.

National athletic footwear and apparel retailer Footaction USA will open by the end of this month on the mall's upper level, near Macy's, according to a news release.

It will be followed by Frites, an eatery specializing in Belgian-style, twice-fried fries, which is expected to open March 23 on the mall's lower level, next to Chick-Fil-A. Info: friteslvmall.com.

Retail Watchers looking to buy, sell or trade video games should take note of an Easton business that opened its second location this weekend on the lower level of the Main Street Commons, across from Lehigh Vapor.

The Game Gallery, owned by Angel Correa of Northampton, has operated at 315 Northampton St. in Easton for nearly three years.

The Bethlehem location also will offer action figures, pop culture memorabilia and at least 10 arcade video games, including a vintage Pong machine, most of which can be played for a quarter each. There are also '70s, '80s and '90s rooms decorated with items representative of the decades.

Correa says the Bethlehem store will expand into its neighboring space in the near future, so more merchandise and arcade games can be housed. Info: 610-829-1133.

Two businesses recently closed their doors, but have not ended operations entirely.

Glossy Stones, a studio offering art classes and art work for sale, closed Jan. 30 at 2 E. Emmaus Ave. in Allentown, according to its Facebook page. The business, owned by Leslie Gerhart of Allentown, opened in July.

"Our building has been purchased and will be under new ownership in the next few weeks," reads a recent post on the business' Facebook page. "Unfortunately we cannot fiscally continue under the new ownership. Instead I will continue to provide off-site classes, and maintain a shop online."

Gerhart also is available for custom murals, handcrafted party favors and photo shoots. Info: 484-664-8204 or glossystones.com.

Second, That's Amore at 2118 Schoenersville Road in Hanover Township, Northampton County, closed earlier this month because of a maintenance issue, according to its Facebook page.

"Due to this we have also decided to remodel the restaurant as well," reads the post. Messages seeking details of the remodel and a tentative opening date were not returned. Info: That's Amore Restaurante on Facebook.

I'll finish with some news at the Quakertown Plaza on Route 309.

First, Tokyo Hibachi Steak House held a grand opening Feb. 11 in the space previously occupied by Sakura.

The BYOB restaurant, owned by Jimmy Lin and Joe Yang, serves Japanese cuisine, including sushi, sashimi, tempura and teriyaki dishes.

New hibachi tables, providing accommodations for more than 80 guests, offer a chance to see your chicken, steak or seafood selections prepared. Info: 215-536-2938.

Second, Pet Valu moved a couple doors down in early January from its location of about eight years, next to Friendly's, to a larger location, next to Yogurtree.

The franchise, with more than 400 pet food and supplies stores in the United States and Canada, also has stores in South Whitehall Township, Pohatcong Township, East Greenville and Stroudsburg.

The Quakertown store has three dog-washing stations. Info: 215-529-7160 or petvalu.com.

Finally, H&R Block, which previously occupied Pet Valu's current spot, moved a few doors down to a suite near Giant around the same time. Info: 215-536-4224 or hrblock.com.

Retail Watch keeps track of new store, restaurant and bank development in the Lehigh Valley. Have a question about a retail construction project, store opening or chain you'd like to see come to the area? Contact reporter Ryan Kneller at 610-820-6597 or retailwatch@mcall.com. Retail Watch appears every Sunday.